Thread: $1895??? Seriously???

Sorry if someone posted this already but SERIOUSLY?? Am I missing something here? I see a few tell-tale Swarovski crystals here and there and yes, that's a lot of fabric and I'm sure it takes a master to make it all hold up but SERIOUSLY?? I'm thinking of ALL the costumes you can get for that much money...or you can even get yourself two luxurious high-end Bellas or Sims!

I don't get this. Someone make me understand, please.

http://bellydancestore.biz/gallery.p...5e4182f3156f8e

I'd imagine this was incredibly expensive to make. There are a gazillion pailletes on there, and they'd have to be sewn on ONE. AT. A. TIME. On netting, which is a pretty flimsy base to sew things onto. And, if it's a good manufacturer, tied off individually too, so they don't all go flying if one breaks.

That said, it would really have to be your dream costume to justify the price. (Even for my dream costume, I can't imagine going over four figures. I didn't pay four figures for my wedding dress!)

Although I love multi-color costumes... And that skirt shape...

I have no answer for you, but the palettes would catch all available light and BLIND the viewers in a good way.

It is very pretty but the price does seem really high. I guess it's for the dancer who wants to have the very latest design and can afford it.

I think it's unfortunate that there is an area right in the crotch that appears not to be covered with paillettes. That would be the area that I would definitely want maximum coverage!

Personally, I would get the two high-end Bellas or Sims for that amount of money, but I LOVE the Turkish costumes, more "old-skool," like me, I guess.

Originally Posted by jmdruadh

I'd imagine this was incredibly expensive to make. There are a gazillion pailletes on there, and they'd have to be sewn on ONE. AT. A. TIME. On netting, which is a pretty flimsy base to sew things onto. And, if it's a good manufacturer, tied off individually too, so they don't all go flying if one breaks.

Beads, sequins, and crystals on any high end costume are sewn on one as a time as well in ways that are way more complex to sew on than palliettes. I have hand beaded my own costumes in the past, sewing on individual sequins, beads, and crystals covering whole bras and belts so I do understand how much work and tears and blood goes into it but at that but at this price...it's a shocker. Maybe each Bella should be $2000 instead of $800 - $1,000. Look at the beading on a Bella costume...

Maybe it's just me but I find the costume really unappealing to my aesthetic sense (personally, I think it's ugly. I'm sure it looks better with stage lights but the studio shot is pure "ugh" to me) and coupled with the price...it's a real turn off. Well, it's just my own humble opinion! :) I'm not much for expensive, avant garde costumes.

I love this costume! I wish it was my bust size and that I had the money. I LOVE LOVE LOVE IT!

Originally Posted by marsbar

Maybe it's just me but I find the costume really unappealing to my aesthetic sense (personally, I think it's ugly. I'm sure it looks better with stage lights but the studio shot is pure "ugh" to me) and coupled with the price...it's a real turn off. Well, it's just my own humble opinion! :) I'm not much for expensive, avant garde costumes.

... yeah... have to go with you on this one- I lvoe the shape of the skirt- but nothing else really appeals to me!

Dios mio thats expensive! I have to say I saw this in the advertisments for the new shipment at the bellydancestore and definately did a double take. I love it for the colors, even though its really over the top (I've also been drooling over SatinWorship's Nadia Gamal original and this reminds me of it color wise). Do I have that ammount of cash to send on a costume? No way!! But as I painstakingly sew on sequin by sequin bead by bead to my bedlah in progress, I understand why its so high ;)

I love it except for the placement of a couple of the bare patches, and Samira looks fabulous in it. But, I'd take the two Sims any day. Or better yet, four or more high end costumes from the swap :)
And yes, it's a mind boggling amount of work, but surely no more than the Pharoanics costumes with skirts covered in sequins or hand strung fringe.

Originally Posted by jmdruadh

I'd imagine this was incredibly expensive to make. There are a gazillion pailletes on there, and they'd have to be sewn on ONE. AT. A. TIME. On netting, which is a pretty flimsy base to sew things onto...

Check the bottom edge of the first pix, to me it appears the skirt is made from a different color and type fabric with mesh inserts scattered throughout. Even lightweight palettes will add weight to a mesh skirt.

Years ago I started adding palettes to a flared mesh dress, starting at the hem. Imagine my surprise and disappointment after covering the lower 5-6" when I realized the dress was too long. I ended that dress project and re-purposed the palette covered mesh.

I love the costume, but would never pay that much for it. Plus, I don't have the kind of gigs where that costume would be appropriate, but I do really like it and Samira really rocks it.

For paillettes? No. I love the costume but I wouldn't pay that for paillettes. I've had paillette costumes before. Back in the 80's paillettes were very common for beledi dresses and those ran aroun $200. I've had full circle skirts trimmed in paillettes 8" from the hem. Those ran more as it was so time consuming, but still the whole costume didn't cost $2000. And yes, paillettes can make a costume very heavy.

Now, on average I did pay over $1500 for my costume made costumes. But they were all custom designed, hand beaded, losts of crystals and fringe. I've known some local dancers who have paid over $3000 for a local designer who uses swavorski crystals to hand bead fringe. But those type of costumes can last years with care.

Eventually, the colors on the paillettes will wear off.

ah, to me...that costume looks like mardi gras threw up...i'm glad i make my own stuff!

Originally Posted by marsbar

Maybe it's just me but I find the costume really unappealing to my aesthetic sense (personally, I think it's ugly.

me 2

Seems to me you're paying for the designer name (Sahar's can be notoriously expensive, even though the designs tend to be more minimalist) - in addition to all the stuff sewn on by hand. I am COMPLETELY IN LOVE with this costume, but like most, I would never spend so much money on a costume that is an already-made. If I ordered a custom that was made to fit me AND had all those details added AND was a designer label, I would kind of "get" the pricing. Though I already have several Bellas with so much more detail, cut-outs and made to fit me that cost a lot less than this.

Samira is rocking it though - seriously jealous she even got to try it on and spin around in it for a while!!

Well, I kinda like this costume, even though it is not something that matches my budget, my taste or my body. This costume is exceptionally memorable and it is unique. In a staged show with 20 Bellas, this will stand out. And, it is so over the top and I betcha it has great movement on stage, everybody will remember it. So, for a dancer with a large costume budget who can wear this costume (and is not worn by it) and whose dance/music style matches the design and for events where a costume with a large wow factor is called for, this is an awesome choice. Worn by people like me, on the other hand, it would be quite ridiculous ;-)

I personally don't spend that kind of money on costumes, and don't have a gig (or body!!!) that would be appropriate for it.

I can see, though, that it's an innovative design and the sort of thing a designer wouldn't wind up mass-producing. In the world of designer fashion & couture, it's not unusual for a plain white BLOUSE to cost over $2,000. That's not my world, but I know it exists (grew up thumbing through Mom's Vogue magazines) so it doesn't surprise me at all.

I wouldn't buy it even if I had lots of money. It's just paillettes, not anything special or expensive that justifies the price.

That price was dictated by the designer, that much I know. And bellydancestore has minimal minimal markup on Sahars. She carries them because people want them so they add to her store.
I am lucky enough to have a good amount of experience w all the designers costumes. I know their fit, their workmanship, their materials (even quality of hooks, mesh, glass beads varies widely). My second major in college was costume design, so I understand theatrical sewing etc. With that background and my need for variety, sometimes I DO spring for a Sahar. They truly ARE magnificent in cut, construction and movement. BUT, I get her mid to mid/high price ones, not the "OMG HOW much?" ones.
This one- the skirt moves like a dream. I preferred the silver one. Multi-toned paillettes don't do it for me.

Reminds me of the joke where the kids are selling lemonade for $5 a glass instead of a dime. At this price, I only need to sell one.

Maybe it's just me but I find the costume really unappealing to my aesthetic sense (personally, I think it's ugly. I'm sure it looks better with stage lights but the studio shot is pure "ugh" to me) and coupled with the price...it's a real turn off. Well, it's just my own humble opinion! :) I'm not much for expensive, avant garde costumes.[/QUOTE]

No kidding! I'm with you on both counts - it's not appealing to me either. And, has it occurred to anyone that no matter how carefully those paillettes are sewn onto the netting, they will bend and break off a lot faster than even an average quality beaded cossie? I do love multi-color costumes, but this one looks cheapie to me. Bleagh! There really are a lot of very expensive avant-garde costumes that are just plain hideous, IMO! As with any high-fashion item, one is paying for the label, not necessarily the quality.

When I first saw this I wondered to myself "How many palette scarves had to die to make this costume?"

I'm sure it took a really long time to make, and it will definitely sparkle, but it's not something I'd buy, even for a whole lot less. I think it might be prettier if the palettes were all the same color, or maybe variations of the same hue. But it's possible that this is someone's dream costume.

Originally Posted by SamiraShuruk

That price was dictated by the designer, that much I know. And bellydancestore has minimal minimal markup on Sahars. She carries them because people want them so they add to her store.
I am lucky enough to have a good amount of experience w all the designers costumes. I know their fit, their workmanship, their materials (even quality of hooks, mesh, glass beads varies widely). My second major in college was costume design, so I understand theatrical sewing etc. With that background and my need for variety, sometimes I DO spring for a Sahar. They truly ARE magnificent in cut, construction and movement. BUT, I get her mid to mid/high price ones, not the "OMG HOW much?" ones.
This one- the skirt moves like a dream. I preferred the silver one. Multi-toned paillettes don't do it for me.

It looks gorgeous on you, but I must say that everything looks amazing on you!

Originally Posted by ANA_bellydancer

I wouldn't buy it even if I had lots of money. It's just paillettes, not anything special or expensive that justifies the price.

sooo with ya !

Originally Posted by Lauren_

I can see, though, that it's an innovative design and the sort of thing a designer wouldn't wind up mass-producing. In the world of designer fashion & couture, it's not unusual for a plain white BLOUSE to cost over $2,000. That's not my world, but I know it exists

Yes exactly, and as Steffi also said, in a staged show with 20 Bellas this will stand out. It's certainly not boring. I adore it, for it's uniqueness and freshness as well as the magnificent cut. There is simply nothing like a Sahar for fit, quality and wow factor.

But then I believe we've had this discussion before

Originally Posted by Sarahamh

Yes exactly, and as Steffi also said, in a staged show with 20 Bellas this will stand out. It's certainly not boring. I adore it, for it's uniqueness and freshness as well as the magnificent cut. There is simply nothing like a Sahar for fit, quality and wow factor.

But then I believe we've had this discussion before

Well things are looking up, there's been no mention of coconut boobs yet

Originally Posted by zafirah

Well things are looking up, there's been no mention of coconut boobs yet

I pay extra for coconut boobs

Seriously though, we pay a pitifully small amount for our professional costumes - if we were ballroom dancers this pricetag would be par for the course. If our costumes were made in Europe or the US instead of Egypt and Turkey there is NO WAY anyone would be getting a Bella for $600. If a pricetag like this means Sahar's seamstresses are compensated fairly for their work (as Samira says there is very little mark up on a Sahar) then so be it.

Oh, see.. when I saw this one, I assumed that for the price it came with Samira's body. Should I stop saving up then?

We pay a pitifully small amount for our professional costumes - if we were ballroom dancers this pricetag would be par for the course. If our costumes were made in Europe or the US instead of Egypt and Turkey there is NO WAY anyone would be getting a Bella for $600. If a pricetag like this means Sahar's seamstresses are compensated fairly for their work (as Samira says there is very little mark up on a Sahar) then so be it.

t's an innovative design and the sort of thing a designer wouldn't wind up mass-producing. In the world of designer fashion & couture, it's not unusual for a plain white BLOUSE to cost over $2,000.

This and this.

I love it. I couldn't wear it and I'm not generally a multicolour person, but I really like minimalist costumes, as I like minimalist clothing IRL, and I think it is delicious.

FWIW the cheaper copies will undoubtedly surface in a few months.

dont have the money, but OMG, i LLLOVE it